Southern California -- this just in

Gymnastics coach accused of sexual abuse resigns

October 26, 2011 | 9:19
am

An Orange County gymnastics coach who led the U.S. team to eight Olympic gold medals in 1984 has resigned from USA Gymnastics and his training club after allegations that he sexually abused more than a dozen young female gymnasts in the 1980s.

The Orange County Register reported the allegations against Don Peters in late September and reported his resignations Wednesday from USA Gymnastics and SCATS, the Huntington Beach club he built into a superpower.

USA Gymnastics has scheduled a Nov. 11 hearing to consider banning Peters from the sport.

The coach's resignation does not prevent USA Gymnastics from continuing its investigation.

According to the Register, two other coaches named in the investigation were dismissed by USA Gymnastics earlier this month.

Doug Boger was released by ArtSports World Gym in Colorado Springs, Colo., and had already been banned by USA Gymnastics after former gymnasts accused him of physical and sexual abuse.

The gym's owner, Michael Zapp, a convicted sex offender, also resigned and sold the gym.